To modernize its air to air infrastructure, Romania has received approval from the United States for the acquisition of AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles, signaling a deepening alliance between the two countries. This approval led to the signing of a $70 million contract between Romania and Raytheon. The decision to equip the Romanian Air Force’s […]
North Korea; Army tests new TBM with autonomous navigation system.
On May 18, 2024, North Korea announced the test-firing of a tactical ballistic missile equipped with a new autonomous navigation system, describing it as part of efforts to enhance its military capabilities. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korean leader Kim Jong-un supervised the test, although specific details such as the number […]
Australia; Government approves US$37Bn. defense budget for 2025
Australia has announced a record defense budget of AU$55.7 billion, US$36.8 billion, for 2025, representing a 6.3% increase from the previous year and accounting for 2.02% of the country’s GDP. This significant budgetary increase underscores Australia’s commitment to enhancing its military capabilities amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. The defense budget includes an […]
US; DARPA selects winner for Liberty Lifter amphibian aircraft development
Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing located in Manassas, Virginia, has received an $8.3 million contract modification to continue the design of an experimental heavy cargo seaplane named Liberty Lifter for the U.S. military. This follows DARPA’s decision to discontinue considering General Atomics’ proposal for the program. Initially, in February 2023, both Aurora and […]
Greece; HAF requires 10 additional French Rafale F4.
On May 10, 2024, the Hellenic Air Force General Staff announced its intention to acquire up to ten new Rafale F4 fighter jets from Dassault Aviation. This move is part of a broader strategy to modernize the Greek air force, which involves phasing out older models such as the F-4 Phantom and Mirage 2000-5 in […]
China; Reports suggest development of a new Type 041 submarine.
According to information published by Du Wenlong on May 8, 2024, recent online discussions have been rife with speculation about China’s development of a new mini nuclear submarine, dubbed the “Type 041.” Traditionally, nuclear submarines have been large vessels, weighing between 8,000 to 10,000 tons. However, given the shallow waters (around 300 meters deep) in […]
Switzerland; Armasuisse requests bid for new medium-range air defense systems
On April 30, 2024, the Swiss Federal Office for Defense Procurement, Armasuisse, officially issued a request for proposals to three manufacturers for the procurement of new medium-range ground-based air defense systems for the Bodluv MR project. This move is part of a broader effort by the Swiss Army to update its aging air defense capabilities, […]
Malaysia; Army orders Turkish Karaok Anti-Tank Missile
On May 8, 2024, Roketsan, the Turkish defense systems manufacturer, announced it would deliver the first batch of its Karaok portable anti-tank missile system to the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) by early 2026. This announcement was made at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2024 by Chumur Murat Boz, Roketsan’s Regional Manager for Central Asia and […]
Uruguay; Government approves procurement of new OPV
The contract is for 82.3 million euros and the first vessel is expected to be sailing in 18 months and the second a year later The Minister of Defense of Uruguay, Armando Castaingdebat, confirmed after his appearance before the Defense Commission of the Uruguayan Senate, that the President of the Republic, Luis Lacalle Pou, has […]
El Salvador; China to provide excess equipment to the armed forces
According to the Chinese ambassador to El Salvador, Zhang Yanhui, withthe arrival of the Chinese military attaché in El Salvador in the coming months, cooperation between the two countries will begin to flow. Among other projects, a new and modern library has already been received and a new stadium is under construction. However, the ambassador […]